Country Focus
Delaware LLC from China: what changed in 2024-2026 and what still works
China-based founders face additional banking and Stripe scrutiny but Delaware LLC formation remains accessible. Here is the current state.
What is unchanged
Delaware accepts China-based founders without distinction. The $297 + Delaware $110 formation pricing and 8-10 day timeline apply identically. EIN approval from China-based founders proceeds through the IRS fax/mail process without country-specific delays.
BOI report filing from China is straightforward through FinCEN online system. Operating Agreement template applies identically.
What changed in banking
Mercury continues to accept China-based founders but applies additional review for higher transaction volumes. Wise Business has tightened acceptance criteria for China-resident founders since 2024; some applications now require additional documentation. Relay Financial accepts but with longer initial review.
Workaround: Singapore or Hong Kong intermediate holding entities (with US LLC as subsidiary) face less banking friction for China-resident founders. Pricing for intermediate structures: SG/HK company ~$1,500-3,000 to form plus annual filing.
What changed with Stripe
Stripe approval rates for China-resident founders have declined since 2024 even with US Delaware LLC. Approval still happens but more applications enter manual review (1-3 weeks vs 1-3 days). Alternatives: Paddle, Lemon Squeezy, FastSpring (MoR services) bypass Stripe direct approval entirely.
For China-based SaaS founders, MoR has become the default rather than direct Stripe.
Form your Delaware LLC with Delewarellc
$297 + Delaware state fee, one-time. 8-10 day turnaround. Multilingual founder-led support.
More from the Delewarellc blog
- Delaware LLC vs Wyoming LLC for non-residents: which to choose in 2026
- Stripe Atlas 2025-2026 changes: what changed for non-resident founders
- Form 5472 late filing: how to recover from missed years
- Mercury banking in 2026: non-resident approval reality
- BOI report under the Corporate Transparency Act: 2026 status update